| WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) issued a warning today to all Medicare beneficiaries to consider every option carefully before signing-up for a new prescription drug benefit. Although the registration window does not begin until November 15, 2005, the Center for Medicare Services allowed health insurers to begin marketing their plans to Medicare beneficiaries on Saturday, October 1, 2005 using telemarketing, advertising, and direct mail pieces.
"Although I fought hard to defeat this new prescription drug benefit which is overly complex and maximizes profits for private companies, I intend to do everything I can to help seniors chose the best plan for them and their families," said Congressman Berry. "Private health plans will be aggressive in marketing their plans so we need to work just as hard to help seniors make responsible and informed decisions."
Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare will provide prescription drug coverage to beneficiaries who sign up for one of the plans administered by private health insurance companies. Seniors will receive a Medicare and You handbook in the mail over the next few weeks with information on plans available in Arkansas. CMS has approved fifteen companies to provide stand-alone drug coverage in Arkansas and four companies to provide all Medicare-covered services including the new drug benefit. Medicare beneficiaries should be careful not to provide any personal information to a company not included on the approved list.
"Seniors are going to have a lot of information thrown at them over the next few months as they begin to sign-up for a new benefit," said Congressman Berry. "I encourage everyone to take a step back and consider every option before moving forward. Although this process will be confusing, I am determined to help as much as I can."
Individuals can direct immediate questions to the Arkansas State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 1-800-224-6330 or to the office of Congressman Marion Berry at 1-800-866-2701. Seniors will be able to compare plans online starting in mid-October at www.medicare.gov.
Congressman Berry will also hold five Prescription Drug Fairs throughout the 1st Congressional District during the week of November 15th -19th to help seniors sign-up for a prescription drug benefit plan. Counselors will be available at these events to provide information and answer questions.
A list of companies approved to provide plans in Arkansas is provided below.
Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan Companies
Aetna Life Insurance Company (3)
CIGNA HealthCare (3)
Community Care Rx (3)
Coventry AdvantraRx (3)
Humana Inc. (3)
Medi-Pak Rx (3)
PacificCare Life and Health Insurance Company (3)
Prescription Pathway (6)
SilverScript (2)
Sterling Prescription Drug Plan (1)
Unicare (3)
United American Insurance Company (1)
United Healthcare Insurance Company (2)
Wellcare (3)
YouRx Plan (1)
Total # of Companies = 15
Total # of Plans = 40
Medicare Advantage companies
(These companies will provide coverage for all Medicare services including the new prescription drug coverage)
Arkansas Community Care, Inc (4)
Humana Insurance Company (5)
United Healthcare Insurance Company (1)
United Healthcare of Arkansas, Inc (2)
Total # of companies = 4
Total # of plans = 12 |
